A pilot has died and hundreds of guests were forced to evacuate from a Cairns hotel after a helicopter crashed onto the roof in the early hours of this morning.
The owner of the helicopter, Nautilus Aviation, said the aircraft was on an "unauthorised" flight at the time of the crash.
"Nautilus Aviation are working closely with the Queensland Police Service, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning."
The company added it would not be making further comments at this time.
Queensland Police earlier declared an exclusion zone in the area after initially being called to an "aviation incident" at the Esplanade in Cairns City at about 1.50am (local time).
"Initial investigations indicate a helicopter has crashed into the roof of a hotel," it said at the time.
Police confirmed the pilot and single occupant of the aircraft was found dead at the scene.
"Forensic investigations are underway to formally identify them.
"The building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground."
Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor in Cairns Caitlin Denning said between 300 and 400 people were being evacuated from the Double Tree Hotel as crews were arriving.
"At the time, it was too unsafe for us to enter the hotel to view the [impact site]," she told AAP.
"The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel, however two propellers have dislodged.
"One landed on the Cairns Esplanade and there was a second propeller located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor and it was on fire."
Members of the public were asked to avoid the area.
The exclusion zone encompassed Esplanade, Minnie St, Abbott St and Florence St.
"Police are on scene investigating the circumstances of the incident."
AAP also reported two hotel guests, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
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